Well . . .  no one is Superman.  Don’t we strive, as patriotic Americans, to stand for the same things, though?   Didn’t our veterans fight for us?  for others?   They ARE our Super Men and Women.   They should be lauded for their integrity, sacrifices, the call to duty.   So…Why are they fighting on the home front? 

• They are detoured along with the bumps in the road 
• They are hitting glass ceilings
• They are chasing dreams with no payoff
• GI funding, yet nothing to show for it
• They are part of the economic abyss

Our men and women of the Armed Forces are a serious bunch of individuals when faced with a mission.  They possess the will of the “mighty” to target a goal, execute a plan, accomplish and secure.  Nonetheless, our recent veterans, the post 9/11 veterans, “Gulf War-era II veterans,” did you know they are having doors shut on them and experiencing higher unemployment rates than non veterans?  Terrible!  Nearly 12 million of our veterans are now working or looking for work.  [They account for about 8 percent of the U.S. labor force.]  Although most veterans are men, women are a growing part of that population, accounting for 1 out of 10.   

SHOULDN’T THEY HAVE MORE ON THEIR SIDE BY NOW?

The GI Bill helps our returning soldiers to pursue their educational goals, but there is so much impeding The American Dream for them.  What are viable futures?  What are high paying careers?  What’s out there anymore? They need sound advice from true professionals, stop having their time wasted, have a shot at success.   They’re not asking for handouts.  How about just being fair and square? They don’t need Twitter blasts or newsfeeds from Facebook.  They need Real World!

We are all bombarded with commercials, Web advertising, news reports left and right.   Let’s all have a reality check.  Consider everything.

• What are the hot careers? Where are there shortages?
• In the next decade, will there be stabilization in a certain area?  Growth?
• What are the highest paying jobs? What are the quickest routes to get there?
• Career options for home-based work?  Those living in rural areas?

Never overlook the obvious; never understate the necessary.  Don't give them a runaround in job pursuits.  Do not waste his/her time, energy or money on their journey of post secondary education.  Veterans will appreciate, more than the rest, talking straight!

Spread the word.  Help them to make informed decisions.  Welcome returning vets through the doors of our schools and offices.  Give our veterans the respect they deserve.